Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-01-13

Almost simultaneously with Mr.. Mason's
warning to Republicans not to vote for
Camden lest the State two years hence go
Democratic by $4,000, and his suggestion to
them that if they will vote sOlidly for some
Democrat other than Camden Though Cam
den be elected by the DemOcrats) the State
will 90 Republican two years hence, the
following " Confidential letter was issued
by the Republican State Executive Com
mittee to Republican members of the legis-
lature 1t is as much in accord with Mr.
Mason's editorial utterances as If he had
been the author Can any one question the
existence of COLLISION between Mr.. Mason
and members of the Republican committee
ANYBODY in Jefferson, capable of putting
two and two together, now indisPosed to
believe Mr.. Mason and his paper faithful
Republican allies? Read the following:
WHEELING, De. ,, 1886.
DEAR SIR: As we figure results Senator
Camden is no nearer 4 reelection now than
he was before November ID. The intorma-
ton comes to Us in way that entities 1t to
credit. that there are two Democratic Sena-
tors and eight Democratic members elect
of the House who declare that they Will not,
under any circumstances, vote for Mr.. Cam
den.
Ii takes As votes to elect. The Democrats
have SO votes all told. Deduct those who
sav they will no. vote for Camden, and he
can muster but 40 votes on joint ballot
We admit that no great reliance can be
placed on Democratic courage To resist the
parry lash But this year the cirCumstan-
ces are peculiar. The line OF demarcatlon
between the Camden and the anti-Camden
factiou, is as marked a. chat between Re
publicans and Democrats aud we nay be
able 10 secure some advantage from IT,
Camden is fully alive 20 this condition OF
affairs and Is now trying to strengthen hlm-
self outside of caucus nomination. His
emissaries have already approached some
of the Republican members elect, trying TO
secure from them pledges OF support IN
open session If it shall be found necessary.
But We don't think he has secured any
thus far.
Please do not consider Us rs assuming the
role of political instructors. We know that
YOU are as well posted in our political al
fairs as we are, and probably better. Our
only desire Is to promote the Republican
cause and expose the scheme OF the man
who atone is responsible for our defeat this
fall. and by means that are disgrace to
civilization. This scheme We know Is now
being cOncocted.
He tried the same game in 81 when 1t
was thought he could not get the caucus
nomination. This Is not idle rumOr We
kaOlr p 20 b. true Ii he finds now that he
cannot get the caucus nomination with all
the Democratic members represented in 1t
his whole power will be exerted To beat ali
Others in the caucus and throw the election
into the Joint convention without a noml-
nation, and then try and secure enough
scattering Republican votes, which, added
to those of his partisan friends, who are
pledged to stand by him to the last will
give him the election in open session. This
must be prevented / I possible.
We have no fear that any Republican
will be corrupted by his Doodle; that Is
political virtue that Democrats mOn0polize
exclusively. But we are exceedingly anX
ious that no Republican member shall be
BETRAYED into a kindly word that may be
willy politician.
You. no doubt, are Is conscious as We are
of the vital Importance to our cause the de-
feat of Mr.. Camden is at this time. 1t will
eliminate his money bags from our future
politics and give us an almost certain victo-
~ i'm IS. With his defeat now his purse
will be closed. his personal zeal will be
abated and he will be permanently retired.
Except for his money in the last campaign
we would now have majority in the Sen
ate and in the House, and 1t requires no
great stretch of the Imagination To c0mpre
bend all the benefits this change would have
conferred on the people. His money stole
the Senators in the Fourth and Sixth Dis
tricts and six members of the House from
Marion, Wood Jackson and Mason, land
came near stealing your District Repub-
liCans now have the opportunity 10 ayenge
their own defeat ON the very man who caus-
ed it, Let Us DO il.
1t may not be possible for Republicans
90 form combinations that will secure us
L. :. Senator this winter But by making
a nomination of their own and then stand
by 10 until the Camden following falls 20
pieces, we believe they have the oppOrtuni-
" TO throw the election to some Democrat
who will do Us infinitely less harm than
Camden Besides, the Democratic dissen-
sions may become % great that one faction
will come 10 Us 20 defeat the other.
We should be greatly pleased 70 receive
your full and frank views on this ubject.
Yours respectfully,
W. j. W. COWDEN, Chairman.
n a. Ernr-rr.r O., Nl..-rf.t.tr